27 (01)
Susana Barrios
From:Emma Burrows <emma@ochotels.org>
Sent:Wednesday, October 22, 2025 3:55 PM
To:City Clerk
Cc:Danny Fierro
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] Orange County Hotel and Lodging Association Letter to Mayor
Aitken and City Council
Attachments:OCHLA Letter to Anaheim City Council.pdf
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Good afternoon,
Please find attached a letter from Executive Director Danny Fierro, submitted on behalf of the Orange
County Hotel & Lodging Association, for the City Clerk’s records.
Best,
Emma Burrows
--
Emma Burrows
Director of Member Services
Orange County Hotel & Lodging Association
(
1
October 22, 2025
Anaheim City Council
c/o City Clerk’s Office
City of Anaheim
200 S. Anaheim Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92805
Dear Mayor Aitken and Members of the Anaheim City Council:
On behalf of the Orange County Hotel & Lodging Association, I write to respectfully express our
opposition to the proposed parking and entertainment taxes, or “gate taxes”, in Anaheim. While
we recognize the City’s fiscal challenges, adopting new, long-term taxes to address short-term
budget gaps would mark a sharp departure from Anaheim’s proven, pro-investment approach —
and risk slowing the very economic engine that drives the City’s success.
The Anaheim Resort Area is the cornerstone of Anaheim’s economy and one of the most
important tourism hubs in California. It supports more than 102,000 direct and indirect jobs
across Southern California — nearly 75% of them in Orange County — and sustains hundreds of
local businesses through tens of millions of dollars in annual vendor and supplier spending. The
Resort Area also serves as the City’s single largest funding source, projected to generate
approximately $302 million in 2025–26, or 63% of Anaheim’s General Fund.
Anaheim’s success story is built on thoughtful, forward-looking leadership that has cultivated a
pro-business environment. This Council has carried on that legacy through initiatives such as
DisneylandForward, OCVIBE, and the revitalization of West Anaheim — projects that will
deliver lasting financial benefits and community investment in the years ahead.
The results of this strategy are clear: Anaheim’s transient occupancy (hotel) tax revenue grew
from $57.9 million in 2000–01 to $247.6 million in 2023–24 — a more than 400% increase —
while the City’s population grew only about 5%. When Anaheim encourages investment, the
entire community benefits through stable revenues, good jobs, and enhanced public services.
Imposing a gate tax now would undercut that momentum. These measures would make
Anaheim less competitive with peer destinations like Orlando, San Diego, and Seattle, which
ORANGE COUNTY HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCIATION
8583 IRVINE CENTER DR #476
IRVINE, CA 92618
continue to invest in visitor affordability and experiences. Travelers are increasingly
price-sensitive; adding new taxes on visits and experiences risks dampening demand,
discouraging future investment, and reducing the very revenues the City depends upon.
Moreover, the idea that these taxes would only impact visitors is inaccurate. Data show that
more than one-third of Anaheim residents attend events at major venues that would be subject
to the proposed entertainment tax — meaning local families would feel the burden directly.
If our shared goal is to grow Anaheim’s tax base and fund essential services, the proven path is
clear: keep Anaheim attractive for investment and visitation. By continuing to support an
environment that encourages business growth and tourism, Anaheim can ensure stable revenues
without jeopardizing jobs, competitiveness, or community vitality.
We urge the Council to reject the proposed parking and/or entertainment taxes and continue
pursuing the kind of creative, community-driven solutions — like recent improvements to the
Anaheim Tourism Improvement District funding formula — that strengthen our city without
increasing the cost of a visit or the burden on residents.
Thank you for your leadership and your continued commitment to maintaining Anaheim as a
world-class destination and a model for economic growth.
Respectfully,
Danny Fierro
Executive Director